Impeccably crafted, artist quality.

The Merker-Matic is a premium double French horn that offers the ultimate in craftsmanship and tonal splendor. Design features such as its newly designed 4th branch, dual bore, and mouthpipe tapers lead professionals to claim an ease of blowing in all registers as well as an exceptionally quick response and a smooth, precise legato. A genuine Holton Farkas MC silver-plated mouthpiece and slimine wood-shell case are included.

This horn is amazing. Its sound quality is magnificent. I've just graduated High School, so I may not be quite as experienced as some, but I am a honest to the core. ...Read complete review

This horn is amazing. Its sound quality is magnificent. I've just graduated High School, so I may not be quite as experienced as some, but I am a honest to the core. At first the horn does seem heavy compared to others, but the weight fit me well. The lacquer on the keys did rub off after constant use over a three year period, but you cant really tell. It slipped out of my lap once, a week before graduation, the first I had ever damaged a horn. But the bell was strong and you can barely see the slight crinkle. The caps over the rotaries are beautiful and much easier to remover than on other horns. On the back side rather than sting tying the key to the rotary, there are actually metal arms, I guess you would call them. The trigger though does have string, but you certainly don't have to keep buying more string for each key. The octaves were easier to reach. Also this horn produces a very well rounded warm tone that is well suited for basically any type of music. The bell, for the screw bell, is at times hard to put on, but after a while you get used to it. In a concert hall the sound is beautiful, though even in a normal auditorium the sound is quite exceptional. I was the only chair in my High School band for a few years and the horn makes it easier to produce enough sound that I could be heard over the entire band. All-in-all, this is a very, very nice horn, and I would recommend it to anyone.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

It is not bad, but not good either

1. Valves are terrible, they click soon after you get over the initial gunky stage of all new horns 2. Not as secure in the upper register as everyone seems to imply 3....Read complete review

1. Valves are terrible, they click soon after you get over the initial gunky stage of all new horns 2. Not as secure in the upper register as everyone seems to imply 3. Sound is warm, but shallow depth of volume 4. Wonderful for Chamber works, but hard to project over full brass section 5. Case is wonderful, but very heavy 6. Bell is thin and easily dented but rings nicely 7. Good price, but after needed valve overhaul, you pay about the same as for upper brand names 8. Valve caps look good at first, but scratch easily, also do not do much of anything for the playing; it is all aesthetic

I am currently a freshman in college, and I have used this horn since I was in 6th grade. This horn has worked well for me through many problems (mostly with the valves sticking--especially my second valve and the thumb trigger). However, after overcoming the horn's minor nuances, it is a very good instrument. The case is a bit heavy, so I bought a gig bag for it instead, and it cuts the weight of carrying the instrument by more than half while it's in the case. It tends to be a bit finickey in the higher octave (mostly above high C) but over all, a very good horn. This horn is worth your time and money.

Just to make a note about the differences in the Dual-Bore between the Paxman 25 (which this horn has been compared to) and the Merkers: the Paxman's dual bore has a standard size Bb side (c. .468 inches) and a larger bore F side (c. .500 inches), while the Merkers have a normal F side (c. .468 incehs) and a smaller Bb side (c. .460 inches). The proportions are roughly similar between the sides, and the effect is to make the sides of the horn play with a similar restistance level, but the approaches are different. I have never done a comparison between a Merker and a Paxman 25, so I can't comment on how these different approaches differ from a player's standpoint, only a technical one.

Excellent horn in all registers. My register is from contra G to D3 and sometimes to F3. The horn always speaks freely and clearly. Ab2 is sometimes stuffy but that seems to be indemic to most horns. In my younger days the large bore Holten horn was my choice. As one gets older and less powerful the smaller bores work well. After playing for 50 years I still have to practice relentlessly to keep my strength and endurance as sharp and developed as possible. I have owned 4 Farkas Holton horns over the years along with Kruspe and Schmidt. I don't know of any horn that does everything a performer would prefer. Guess thats why I am looking for a decent horn for baroque style compositions as the larger horn is just too much work at this point. One thing I have done over the years is to continue to experiment with small embouchure changes and mouthpieces. The Farkas series of mouthpieces seem well engineered to me. Certainly a good starting place in which to develop ones own needs.And too, the Holton is made in America.!!!

This horn is amazing. Its sound quality is magnificent. I've just graduated High School, so I may not be quite as experienced as some, but I am a honest to the core. At first the horn does seem heavy compared to others, but the weight fit me well. The lacquer on the keys did rub off after constant use over a three year period, but you cant really tell. It slipped out of my lap once, a week before graduation, the first I had ever damaged a horn. But the bell was strong and you can barely see the slight crinkle. The caps over the rotaries are beautiful and much easier to remover than on other horns. On the back side rather than sting tying the key to the rotary, there are actually metal arms, I guess you would call them. The trigger though does have string, but you certainly don't have to keep buying more string for each key. The octaves were easier to reach. Also this horn produces a very well rounded warm tone that is well suited for basically any type of music. The bell, for the screw bell, is at times hard to put on, but after a while you get used to it. In a concert hall the sound is beautiful, though even in a normal auditorium the sound is quite exceptional. I was the only chair in my High School band for a few years and the horn makes it easier to produce enough sound that I could be heard over the entire band. All-in-all, this is a very, very nice horn, and I would recommend it to anyone.

I really like playing this Holton and even with braces I get a wonderful tone. Everyone who isn't a horn player in my band comments on how shiny it is...which I must say it is quite shiny. It's nice because I was going to get a Conn but my small hands prevented me from being able to hold the instrument..I know you can adjust the valves but they wouldn't work if we adjusted them in that far..so I was bummed that I had to get a Holton, as soon as I started playing it, I fell in love with it and will treasure my precious always.

The Merker Matic, sound wise is a great instrument. It does well in all ranges and in terms of sound is an all around good instrument. However, instrument itself has some difficulty. I have had to re-solder my instrument three times. It just can't keep itself together. I suggest for all perspectives buyers of this instrument to smarten up and buy a custom horn. If you are a serious player, reconsider when thinking about purchasing this horn.

After owning and playing both an Eroica and an Alexander, I am very surprised at this horn. Obviously, Alex makes some of the finest horns in the world, and despite what some may say the King Eroica is by far one of the best factory horns on the market. After selling the Eroica I didn't think another horn would replace it, but the Merker (176) has filled the void nicely. The upper register is very secure, perhaps more secure than the Alex I used. The bell rings very nicely, but I think the horn is suited for chamber work more than large ensembles. The valves have performed much better than anyone expected. Be sure to give the horn a "bath" once a month and they work trouble-free! The lowest octave may leave a little to be desired, but it's not enough to turn me away. I highly recommend this horn to anyone.

I recently got the Merker-Matic H176 as an early high school graduation present. It was recommended by my teacher who is a professional horn player. Not only is it a gorgeous instrument, but it plays so smoothly! The sound is more mellow and full than the Conn 6D that I have. The combination of [rose]brass and nickel on this horn gives the horn the best of both the nickel and brass worlds! The upper register is more clear as well as the lower. I used to be just a CONN gal, but I quickly changed my mind once I played on this! I HIGHLY recommend it!

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